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Baltimore authorities roundup violent offenders

Effort collects scofflaws early in the morning

Before many people have breakfast, the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office hit the streets early Friday morning, searching for violent offenders.

Baltimore authorities roundup violent offenders

Effort collects scofflaws early in the morning

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Updated: 4:38 PM EDT Jun 21, 2013

BALTIMORE —

Before many people have breakfast, the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office hit the streets early Friday morning, searching for violent offenders.

Using the element of surprise, the Sheriff's Office executed Operation Safe Community, an effort to get violent offenders off the streets.

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Deputies knocked on doors at a time when most people are asleep -- and the last thing they expect is law enforcement at their front door -- serving criminal warrants in east and west Baltimore.

"We figured when you've got a warrant, they don't do anybody any good sitting on the shelf, so if you come aggressively every month, we're hitting 200 a month, that's when you really see it decrease," said Lt. Carla Lightsey.

It's a multiagency effort involving the state police and U.S. Marshal's Office. Warrants are for handgun violations, drug possession and distribution and more.

"These are the type of re-offenders who, once were given the chance to be on probation and they continue to violate the laws and we are trying to put them back into custody," said Sgt. Governor Tillery.

"A month ago, it was child support. It's a big problem in Baltimore City. We put a big dent out there. Last time we had 200, we served more than half of those. So, that's 130 warrants. Then, we racked in almost $97,000 in child support," Lightsey said.

Officials arrested 17 people in Friday's efforts. The plan was to execute 125 warrants this time around, and next month they'll try it again, targeting another group of offenders.